Which of the following should NOT be on a hard hat shell during an inspection?

During a hard hat inspection, the primary concern is ensuring that the protective gear is structurally sound and capable of providing adequate safety to the wearer. The presence of cracks fundamentally compromises the integrity of the helmet, making it unable to protect against impacts or falls. Cracks can propagate under stress, and even small ones can indicate a significant weakness in the material, leading to potential failure during use. Therefore, finding cracks on a hard hat during an inspection signals that it should be removed from service immediately as it poses a serious risk to the user's safety.

Dents and gouges, while they may suggest some level of impact, do not always indicate a failure of the hard hat's protective capabilities as long as they are superficial and do not extend into the material, affecting its structural integrity. Scratch marks can also be cosmetic and typically do not pose any safety risk if there is no underlying damage. In conclusion, cracks are a definitive sign that a hard hat may no longer provide the necessary protection, thus making it imperative that they are addressed and removed from service if present.